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Top Five CFL Free Agent Special Teams Returners in 2024

Teams across the CFL will have the opportunity to bolster their special teams units when multiple return specialists hit free agency in February.

One aspect of the game often overlooked during the offseason is special teams. While kickers and punters get much of the focus, field position is ultimately determined by the returners.

This offseason, multiple players who are considered to be some of the best return specialists in the CFL are entering free agency. All five players included on this list were in the top 10 in either kickoff or punt return average yards per return last season.

Here is the list of the top five 2024 pending free agent special teams returners in the CFL.

Top Six CFL Free Agent Kickers, Punters

Breaking Down Best Available Kickers and Punters (Previous Team)

5. Peyton Logan (Previous Team: Calgary Stampeders)

Peyton Logan has been a solid backup running back for Calgary since 2022. A hamstring injury kept Logan out of all but six games in 2023, but when he was on the field, he was dynamic on both offense and special teams. Last year was obviously a down season for Logan, but he averaged over 24 yards per kickoff return in 2022 and also returned punts both seasons.

4. Janarion Grant (Previous Team: Winnipeg Blue Bombers)

Since joining Winnipeg in 2019, Janarion Grant hasn’t seen much playing time on offense as the Bombers use him more on special teams. Grant dealt with an ankle injury in 2023 that limited him to just eight appearances all season, but he finished sixth in the CFL in punt return yards average with 13.1 and also returned one for a touchdown.

3. Terry Williams (Previous Team: BC Lions)

While he didn’t take one to the house in 2023, Terry Williams still made some big returns for the Lions. He was third in the CFL in punt return yards (878) and led the league in kickoff return yards (1,315) last year. The wide receiver doesn’t see much time on offense, but his impact in the return game makes him a dangerous weapon.

2. Mario Alford (Previous Team: Saskatchewan Roughriders)

Saskatchewan may not have had much success in 2023 on offense, but they had one of the most dynamic returners in the CFL in Mario Alford. The speedster took back three punts for touchdowns last season, good for second-most in the CFL. He was also second in the league in kickoff return yards with 1,181 yards, which helped land him on the CFL West All-Star team. Alford has played on three different CFL teams in five seasons, proving he can set offenses up with great field position wherever he goes.

1. Javon Leake (Previous Team: Toronto Argonauts)

There wasn’t a more electric player on special teams in 2023 than Argos return man Javon Leake. Leake took back four punts for touchdowns, the most in the CFL, earning him his first CFL All-Star and CFL East All-Star selections in 2023. He also won the John Argo Special Teams Award as the best special teamer in the CFL. It would be a surprise to see Toronto let him walk to another team in free agency with how important of a role he played in their 16-2 season.

Nov 16, 2023; Hamilton, Ontario, CAN; Winnipeg Blue Bombers place kicker Sergio Castillo (14) kicks a field goal during practice at Tim Hortons Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Top Six CFL Free Agent Kickers, Punters

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Nov 16, 2023; Hamilton, Ontario, CAN; Winnipeg Blue Bombers place kicker Sergio Castillo (14) kicks a field goal during practice at Tim Hortons Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Top Six CFL Free Agent Kickers, Punters

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